How much clearance should rear wheels have from fender?

[m3f_bigneil_f35a8c7058]

My (lowered) car is making some type of rubbing sound when I go over bumps and we realized that the rear wheels are so close to the fender that I can't even put my fingers between them. This can't be right.



Also, something is wrong with my rear springs where if they raise and lower it, they get misaligned. I need to address this properly somehow.

[m3f_Tarmac_E36_1d4f19f9d0]

Are your rear fenders rolled/cut? That could help open a bit of room.



What is your alignment specs? You might need a bit more camber and/or toe.

[m3f_bigneil_f35a8c7058]

The mechanic mentioned that I should have them cut. I don't think they are. Can this be done easily or should they have done it before painting it?

[m3f_camdinans3_bfa1f49a41]

whee/tire specs and what type of springs


honestly neil...can you just hire me as your personal mechanic? i could fix all of these issues for like 1/10th of the price you're paying and prevent some all together.


it really sounds like your mechanic is taking you for a ride, its ridiculous.

[m3f_bigneil_f35a8c7058]

I would love to have a good mechanic. Today I realized the shop up the street (fixing my door latch) forgot the single Philips screw that holds the interior door pull on, so it was loose. They didn't plug in the speakers and broke several tabs, and messed up the window liner and metal tabs. I filed a claim for $250 off the bill.



I have H&R springs. Can I reinstall stock springs and raise the car back up and get a good alignment finally? How much would that cost?

[m3f_Braymond14_63960d99c1]

You need to confirm your alignment specs first. It's possible you have bent rear lower control arms (common) or just a very poor alignment.

[m3f_bigneil_f35a8c7058]

According to Kevin (the springs guy at Turner Motor Sport) who I spoke with twice today, when you get H&R springs to lower the car, there is no way to mount the spring, so when the car is lifted you need to manually set the springs when it's lowered? My mechanic said he found one of the rear springs sideways. They are practically spherical in shape.



Anyhow, that wasn't the issue, the issue is that there is no longer enough clearance for my wheels. I am running Dunlop Direzza tires versus stock Michelin Pilot Sport - could they be fatter even though the same size (stock 17)?



He is now testing the rear shocks (Bilstein Sport - 6 years old) to see if they might be the culprit? This is the same mechanic outfit (sister location) that did such a great job painting it, and they are taking care of this, but I'm realy concerned at this point.



Someone said to raise it back up to stock springs means messing with the sway bars and things?



Maybe adjustable coilovers?

[m3f_EricSMG_87c5092dff]

Yes - very short springs always fall to the side when the car is rasied off the ground and must be carefully realigned when lowered. Any mechanic that doesn't know this shouldn't be a mechanic. Furthermore, this can create issues at tire shops.



Second - it sounds like you don't have enough rear camber. Can you post your alignment specs?

[m3f_bigneil_f35a8c7058]

I was told Camber only changes in millimeters but I need to change in inches. Spacers won't work. I don't have alignment numbers until they put it back together.

[m3f_prostreete_29d48478e1]

http://youtu.be/eF38JPuD3cI This will work for the rubbing issue, but it sounds like the other things should be addressed first.

[m3f_OneTenOcta_07844a605f]

when you get H&R springs to lower the car, there is no way to mount the spring, so when the car is lifted you need to manually set the springs when it's lowered? I am running Dunlop Direzza tires versus stock Michelin Pilot Sport - could they be fatter even though the same size (stock 17)?



I have the same setup - H&R Sport springs with Direzzas (standard 245 width). I think the Direzzas do have more of a square-ish cross-section than most tires, which means you won't have much clearance to the fenders.



Like you, I can't fit my fingers between the tire and my fender. But, the tires do not rub -- the rear camber should be enough to make them move inside the edge of the fender, rather than bump into it.



Are they actually rubbing the lip of the fender? Or are they contacting somewhere else inside the wheel arch? You should be able to see some marks somewhere, either on the car or on the tires, to clue you in to where it's hitting. Like the others, I'm thinking there is either an alignment issue or a bad bushing/balljoint/etc.

[m3f_camdinans3_bfa1f49a41]

neil can you please just take some pictures? not just of the tire to fender clearance but of the undercarriage etc

[m3f_bigneil_f35a8c7058]

The fourth consecutive garage in Houston has handed the car back and said they couldn't fix the tire/fender issue.



The clunk actually wasn't as bad and I thought it was the sideways spring but I did hear it again eventually.



So I ordered stock Michelin Pilot Sports and will bring it to another shop for an alignment, then I'll post specs.



I wonder if adjustable Coil-overs would solve this?

[m3f_camdinans3_bfa1f49a41]

Neil. Fly me out. I solve problem for real in 5 minutes. Money be saved. Win. I literally do not see how 4 shops cannot figure this out. It really can only be caused by a few things.

[m3f_EricSMG_87c5092dff]

Neil. Fly me out. I solve problem for real in 5 minutes. Money be saved. Win. I literally do not see how 4 shops cannot figure this out. It really can only be caused by a few things.



I know, right! This thread is extremely frustrating.



Neil - look at my sig pic. See how the rear wheels tilt inward on both cars? Do yours do that? (they should)